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Fishing Jobs in Alaska
The fishing industry is Alaska's largest private employer and employs over 65,000 people for summer, seasonal and year-round employment. The state's fisheries average over $11.2 billion in revenue per year and account for nearly 38 percent of the dollar value of fish and seafood landed in the United States. Roughly 57% of these jobs are filled by nonresidents of the state. Many of whom are college students and young adults who spend the summer in Alaska earning great money, meeting new friends and having an experience of a life time. Alaska fishing jobs are fairly plentiful, but to land a job, it takes a lot more than just getting a list of addresses and phone numbers. It takes having in-depth industry knowledge and a proven strategy. You need to understand the complexities of the Alaska fishing industry and have the insider tips. One of the worst things a person can do is to call Alaska fishing companies and waste their time asking a bunch of basic questions. You need to respect their time. As with any job, you need to spend a little time educating yourself about the industry. This will set you apart from most of the others looking for a job in the Alaska fishing industry.
Just a few facts about working in Alaska. Companies all over the Web and in papers promise people jobs on Alaskan fishing boats for a fee. Fishing boats in Alaska are family owned and each boat has only a few deckhand positions. The skippers (boat owners) hire family and close friends only. Don't waste your time or money sending skippers your resume. They have no use for it. The only way you will get a job on a fishing boat without experience is by shear luck and by being at the right place at the right time. Cannery work is not as exciting as working on a fishing boat but the money's good, you're in Alaska and it's a lot safer. What to bring to Alaska? when you are looking for a job: Money: Probably the most important thing to bring besides your confidence. Bring enough money for a round trip home if the going gets too tough or the job falls through. It's a long walk home from Alaska. Warm Clothes: Remember, your going to Alaska. Dress accordingly. Long underwear set, flannel shirts, sweatshirts (w/hood), sweat pants, light jacket, heavy jacket, wool socks, socks, underwear, at least five t-shirts, normal everyday clothing and one set of nice clothes. Toiletries/Medication: If you take medication bring enough to last the season, but make sure it's legal. Seasick pills are a good thing if your going to be working on a boat. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, razors and that kind of thing. You know best what kind of stuff you need every morning and evening. Camping stuff: Tent, tarps (if it's an older tent), cooking stove, stove gear, eating and cooking utensils. Paper work: Drivers license, Passport, social security card, work permit or green card, birth certificate and resumes if you go up without a job lined up. Miscellaneous stuff: Sunglasses, glasses or contacts if you use them, books, camera, bug repellent, frisbee, hacky sac, fishing pole, football or anything for that random day off.
A few links to get you started in finding a job in the Alaska fishing industry
Fishing Jobs - State of Alaska job bank listing for fishing jobs.
Jobs in Seafood - More specific to cannery jobs in Alaska.
Alaska Fishing Jobs Clearinghouse - Membership site that helps users find jobs in the Alaska Fishing industry.
Information on Fishing Jobs - Information on working on cannery and large commerical fishing boats in Alaska. Contact information for boats working in Alaska.
Icicle Seafoods Inc. - Fishing and processing company in Alaska. Employs seasonal and permanent workforce in Homer, Petersburg, and Seward, in addition to floating processing plants.
Fishing Jobs
- Books on finding a fishing job in Alaska.
check out the Alaskan Search
